"Well, there are trolls. I'm testament to that. I am a master craftsman,
an artisan among the troll peoples. Axel Venrick at your service." He
bowed, then took her hand. She did not resist. He kissed the back of it, and
heat rushed to her face. From where his lips touched her hand, a powerful
sensation traveled through her, much like the ring's effect.

"Good day, Axel Venrick." She curtsied, her heart pounding in her
chest. She was not afraid. Instead, she felt enamored. "It's been an
experience meeting you." She'd never been close to a handsome man. Not
only was he handsome, he was powerful. She liked his power. She knew she should
be fearful of him, but she yearned for the excitement he brought. Waves of reassurance
seemed to vibrate from her ring, relaxing her, helping her trust him.

"I'm not always as you just witnessed, it's only when I allow myself to
transform to frighten others or to serve whatever purpose I need. But most
think trolls to be ugly and monstrous. It's what they remember. Plus, I'm
hardly dim-witted." He grinned. "I like to think I'm rather clever.
Those tales you've heard are only tales. All tales have bits of truth mixed
with fiction. They've been made and spread by humans. Humans are often
inaccurate."

"Trolls are mean," she challenged. "Right?"

"Yes, at times. Humans are as well. All beings can be mean. Look at Hugh.
He's a monster, just not a very powerful one."

"Yes, he is." She played with the rose Axel had given her. It smelled
wonderful on this winter's day.

"I don't deny trolls are selfish, territorial, predatory, and scheming, or
at least we can be. Doesn't it sound like Hugh?"

"Yes." She nodded. "You admit those things about trolls?"

"Would you wish me to lie? I'm not a saint or even close. As I said, the
tales are mixed with truth and fiction. Trolls do have a reputation for being
unpleasant at times. I can be unpleasant if need be."

"You can be unpleasant? I don’t believe it," she teased him,
grinning.

"What's your name, lass? I like your quick wit." He smiled down at
her.

"Breanna Devion."

"Lovely name. It's a great pleasure to have found you, Breanna
Devion." Again, he bowed at the waist. "You're lovely beyond words. I
can tell you have a tender heart. May I come in to visit more with you? Will
you serve me a drink at your table? I wish to know you, and I want to answer
all questions you may have."

She studied him for several moments. "I don't know." She backed
further into the house, the door still open, just looking at him.

"Breanna, if I intended to harm you, I would have done it by now. This
door cannot stop me. You've seen my power. I intend you no harm. I wish only to
bring you pleasure, to keep you safe. I've looked for you especially. My heart
as well as my body has been lonely." At his words, her heart raced more.

"Go wait out there." She pointed out into the yard a distance from
the house. "I need to think. You make me…nervous."

Trapped in a vicious life, Breanna Devion survives only by the strength of her heart. Determined to have more than what her abusive stepfather has planned for her, she's willing to risk everything to be free.

Axel Venrick is a troll who has spent centuries alone, isolated in his castle in Iceland. At the insistence of others, Axel crafts the ultimate tool to find his soul mate. He creates a beautiful ring which is bespelled, blessed by a god, and sent forth to locate Axel's other half.

The ring finds Breanna just in time to prevent her stepfather's disastrous plan from taking place. But angry gods, vengeful parents, and an evil lurking in the immortal world all conspire to destroy the love of the jaded troll and his innocent mortal. Can their love free them or will the evil spreading from the bowels of the earth destroy them first?

Reading and writing is a
wonderful diversion from an often-difficult world. I love to create my own
stories and have control over how things will end. It's exciting to create brand
new worlds and characters. My imagination can come alive.

In sci-fi, fantasy, and
paranormal stories, I can invent wonderful places and people. Anything is
possible in these genres, it's limitless. I'm able to create an escape into a
special world filled with unique and fantastic things and there is always a
happy ending.

A high school teacher
inspired me to write. However, instead of initially pursuing my writing career
I became a lawyer. I work in divorce court, so erotic romance is a great
escape. There can be true love and happy-endings, at least on my pages.

My two children and I have
two good-humored dogs that share our home and ease our stress. I have traveled
and lived all over the world, and these experiences have given me great
creative ideas. I look forward to creating many more adventures in romance.